Utilization rate

The utilization rate expresses how intensively a plot may be built on, commonly by comparing eligible floor area, building mass or similar reference values with the parcel area. Swiss cantons and municipalities use different terms and calculation methods, such as floor-area ratio, building volume index or site coverage. The figure helps control density, infrastructure load, open space and neighbourhood character. It is applied together with height, distance, parking and design rules. Small changes in definitions, exclusions and bonuses can materially affect whether a project complies.